Even internal Tory elections are becoming more interesting

One measure of the Conservative Party's recovery is that the top jobs in the voluntary party are now being properly contested – and contested by talented people. I can vouch personally only for the ones I've worked with in my own Home Counties patch: the delightful Emma Pidding, who seems certain to be the next President, the exceptionally able Simon Mort, standing for the Chairmanship, and my current regional chairman, Paul Swaddle, standing for the Vice-Chairman.

I've watched Paul turn around a struggling Association, I've watched him win unwinnable election campaigns and I've watched him teach his party how to make full use of modern technology (a glance at his website will show you what I mean). Not so long ago, these top jobs tended to be treated as a reward for years of worthy, if not especially distinguished, service. That they are now being fought over by people by people of this calibre tells us a great deal.